Today’s tried and true is an awesome recipe that’s a cinch to make, full of flavor – Easy Slow Cooker Root Beer Barbecue Chicken! Simple never tasted so good.
EASY SLOW COOKER ROOT BEER BBQ CHICKEN
This fantastic, quick and easy slow cooker chicken recipe calls for only 3 ingredients, Chicken, Root Beer and Barbecue Sauce with salt and pepper to taste. With only a 5 minute prep time, toss everything in the slow cooker and let the cooker do most of the work. The end result is super moist chicken that’s loaded with flavor! Serve the chicken piled high on a bun or roll, or serve over rice with a side of your favorite vegetables. Sure to become a new family favorite!
Read rave reviews from people who tried this recipe on Pinterest!
What you need…
How To Make…
So. Darn. Good. This is the perfect meal for a busy day, parties, game day and more. The pickiest of eaters will love this chicken. My picky husband had two sandwiches for dinner and packed the leftovers for lunch at work tomorrow – this man doesn’t like to eat leftovers.
Add this simple, delicious recipe to your recipe box. This dinner saved me today after the holidays, I wasn’t in the mood to cook but didn’t want to order out. It was so nice to throw this in the slow cooker and walk away. I wasn’t surprised how great it turned out, but just how much my husband loved it. Winning recipe!!
Pinnable Image
Easy Slow Cooker Root Beer BBQ Chicken
Recipe from Pillsbury
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 – 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 1/2 cups of your favorite bbq sauce (I use Sweet Baby Ray’s)
- 1 cup root beer (not diet)
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Spray cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
Place chicken in slow cooker in a single layer, lightly season with salt and pepper. Pour root beer and barbecue sauce over top, making sure to coat chicken evenly. Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours. Be sure to adjust cooking time according to how fast/slow your cooker cooks. When ready, shred chicken using two forks, cover and cook on warm or low for an additional 20 minutes.
Serve piled high on your favorite bun/roll or over rice.
Sides for sandwiches – french fries, onion rings, potato chips. coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, side salad.
Sides for serving over rice – steamed broccoli/green beans/ mixed vegetables and salad.
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheers!
After reading other’s comments about the thinness of the sauce, I’m going to make this the same way that I make 3 ingredient pulled pork. One can of root beer with the chicken in the crock pot. When the chicken is done cooking, you drain off all of the liquid. After shredding the chicken add in as much barbecue sauce as you want. I would think if this works with pork loin it should work the same for chicken as well.
We prefer chicken thighs. Has anyone tried this recipe using thighs with or without bone?
I’ve made this using a mixture of boneless skinless breasts and thighs – thighs work well too. Use boneless, skinless.
Made tonight-SO GOOD!! I’ve never tried soda as a cooking liquid before but it is SO juicy! The chicken is tender and shred easily with forks. Served it over rice. It’s a great anchor for a dish!
Your chicken bbq looks very delicious. Moreover, it’s not too difficult to make so I will try soon, because is perfect for summer cookouts. Thanks for your sharing!
Why not jet root beer?
I’m not familiar with Jet root beer, Jane – but if it’s root beer, brand does not matter.
Can you prep and then freeze this to cook another day?
What is the sodium count on this? My husband is on a restricted diet.
Hi Diane,
Head over to Pillsbury for all the nutritional information, it’s right below expert tips. Just remember the sodium will vary depending on the BBQ sauce you use.
Head here–> https://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/root-beer-slow-cooker-chicken/
I was expecting the mix to be a little more thick and coating the chicken. Thought it turned out a little too. It simply “colored” the meat, it didn’t “coat” it. The flavor was ok though. Maybe next time I would cut back on the liquid.
I love this recipe as is, Terri, it has a lot of flavor. Did you use fresh or frozen chicken? Frozen chicken is often injected with a lot of juices which can alter the taste and thickness.
I agree with Terri. A recipe in Pinterest uses 1 C BBQ sauce and 1/2 cup of root beer. This would have probably been better. Same flavor but not swimming in liquid.
The chicken is slow cooked in the sauce and root beer – it’s not thick. The sauce allows the chicken to be super tender (slow cooked) and flavorful. Head over to Pillsbury to read tips and great reviews. https://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/root-beer-slow-cooker-chicken/e36c9d55-64f7-4ccd-8301-0bb5f7944019#reviewDiv
How many will this recipe serve?
Hilary, it serves up to 8. If you like large portions, 6.
can the chicken be frozen when it’s put in the crockpot? How would that effect the time?
It’s best for the chicken to be defrosted for even, safe cooking. Also, if you are using frozen chicken breast from a bag, many times they have a lot of liquid – your chicken will still taste great, but the sauce may be more thin/watery.
why can’t you use diet root beer
I love how you add the “sides” to serve with the recipe….Thanks!
I’m going to try this with pheasant. I have lots of that in my freezer. The recipe looks so good!
Can I put it on low heat for 8 hours, so it will cook while I’m at work?
Hi Pam, 8 hours may be too long unless you know your cooker cooks slow. On low it should be ready in about 6-8 hours.
I’ve made this with Coke a cola- I’m trying it with root beer..
Maybe try it with a pork roll too.
Thanks to all
Wonder if I can adapt this to the Instant Pot. I threw a worthless slow cooker away as it would never cook anything
I think I’m the only food blogger that has yet to start doing Instant Pot recipes. I was terrified of my grandparents’ pressure cooker as a child (they warmed me about it and to never touch it when it was cooking)…so I can’t tell you if it’s a good recipe to try in your Instant Pot – but it may be worth a try. This is a great recipe in the slow cooker!
I’m going to try it in my instapot. 15 min. on high pressure
Can I make this in the oven slowly?? Thank you.